Gabled houses, pretty canals and world-class culture Amsterdam is the fourth most popular destination in Europe for a city break, after Paris, London and Rome, and it's not hard to see why. It has a village-like charm, just perfect for exploring on foot: gabled 17th century houses line the peaceful canals, and a little exploration will yield charming alleyways and hidden courtyards. It's compact: nothing is more than ten minutes' cycle ride away, and it's cultural: the city's art, drama and dance offerings are top-notch. At the moment we only list three establishments: the glamorous Canal House Hotel, with its luxe purple interiors; the Hotel de l'Europe, with its grand public rooms and fantastic on-site amenities; and the Ambassade Hotel, a long-time Guide favourite, with its authentic style and modern artworks. While we, and our readers, recommend the above hotels thoroughly, we'd love to add more. Please let us know if your favourite has been left off the list, and send us a review.